House Votes to Prevent Government Shutdown, Support Troops and VeteransLegislation Approved Today Provides Funding for Essential Government Programs and Services, and Critical National Security Needs

Washington, Mar 6 -

The U.S. House today approved H.R. 933, the Department of Defense, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2013. The bill provides necessary funding to keep the doors of the government open until the end of the fiscal year on September 30.

The legislation includes full-year Defense, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bills, which passed the House last year on a broad bipartisan basis and have been negotiated with the Senate. These bills provide necessary funding flexibility to ensure that our military is well-equipped, our veterans receive the care they have earned, and tax dollars are used wisely and where they are most needed.

The bill continues the remainder of federal discretionary spending at current rates, making limited exceptions where necessary to avert catastrophic damage to government programs, and to ensure good governance of taxpayer dollars. Nearly all of this funding is subject to the President’s sequestration order, bringing the total topline discretionary spending within the bill to approximately $984 billion.

House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers praised passage of the legislation:

“The House did the right thing today by passing this legislation. As we try to get our fiscal house in order, it's important to come together on issues where we can agree – avoiding a government shutdown, providing our people with essential services, and supporting our troops and veterans," Rogers said.

"This bill sets the stage for a meaningful – and needed – discussion on how we can best address our nation’s finances. Now, I urge the Senate to pass H.R. 933 quickly and send it to the President for his signature. Congress must do its duty to ensure that our national defense remains sound at all times, and our economy continues on the path to growth and recovery," Rogers continued.